Parental Acceptance‐Rejection: Theory, Methods, Cross‐Cultural Evidence, and Implications

Abstract

This article summarizes concepts, methods, cross‐cultural evidence, and implications of parental acceptance‐rejection theory (PARTheory). The theory focuses primarily on parental love—its expressions, impact, and origins. Nearly 2,000 studies in the United States and cross‐culturally confirm the widely held belief that children everywhere need acceptance (love) from parents and other attachment figures. Evidence has shown that when this need is not met, children worldwide—regardless of variations in culture, gender, age, or ethnicity—tend to self‐report a specific form of psychological maladjustment. Additionally, individuals who perceive themselves to be rejected appear to be more disposed than accepted persons to develop behavior problems, depression or depressed affect, substance abuse, and other mental health‐related issues. Finally, children and adults appear universally to organize their perceptions of acceptance‐rejection around the same four classes of behavior. These include warmth/affection (or coldness/lack of affection), hostility/aggression, indifference/neglect, and undifferentiated rejection.

The Effect of Retrospectively Perceived Parental Bonding on Resilience in Adulthood

“…The results of the study support other studies (Masten, 2001;Rohner et al, 2005) and extend their findings into adult life. It is important to note that the degree of mother's or father's behavior, which shows affectional bonds between a parent and child, such as talking in a warm and friendly voice, frequent smiles, enjoying talking things over with the child, has importance not only in childhood, but also in adulthood and even in older age.…”

“…Research supports the separation of warmth and control dimensions of parent-child relations (Suchman, Rounsaville, DeCoste, & Luthar, 2007). The dimension of warmth or care forms a continuum of parental acceptance and rejection (Rohner, Khaleque, & Cournoyer, 2005), which "has to do with the quality of the affectional bond between parents and their children, and with the physical and verbal behaviors parents use to express these feelings" (Rohner et al, 2005, p. 305.).…”

Interpersonal Relationships and Social Support in Transitioning Narratives of Black Transgender Women in Detroit

“…Pursuant to parental acceptance-rejection theory, children's experience of rejection has significant impacts on their adult lives, whereas positive relationships with family can provide strength and refuge from harsh social environments outside the family (Koken et al, 2009;Rohner, Khaleque, & Cournoyer, 2005). In a national study of predominately White transgender adults and their nontransgender siblings, transgender individuals perceived less social support from family compared to their nontransgender biological sisters (Factor & Rothblum, 2007).…”

Impact du soutien affectif et du contrôle abusif parental sur l'ajustement psychologique des adolescents de 14 à 18 ans /

“…Lorsqu'il est définit ainsi, le contrôle a un impact positif sur l'adolescent. D'autres fois, il est définit en termes de surprotection, d'intrusion, de rejet, voire d'hostilité envers l'adolescent (Parker et al, 1979;Rohner, 2005;Deschesnes et al, 1997;Bellerose et ai, 2002). Dans ce cas, on pourrait le…”